City Life Opens Its Doors

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The metropolis simulator spreads to retail.

By David Adams

If you were in control of a major city, what would happen? Would people have a much harder time buying triple grande vanilla lattes? Would there be hot pants-only lanes? Would standing on your fire escape and spraying passers-by with Corona be not only legal, but celebrated?

Perhaps power has its limits, but at least you have a chance to explore that question with Monte Cristo's City Life, which CDV is now shipping to North American retailers. The game puts you in the role of an urban planner and developer who must balance municipal services, entertainment, education, and other factors in creating a worthy metropolis.

A detailed visual engine lets you take a good look at your town, while a map editor lets you tinker with the 22 maps included in the game. Whether you'll manipulate Starbucks stand-ins or cruelly keep the thronging masses from what must be an H&M opening is entirely up to you.